Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture

Our entire campus serves as an arboretum for many varieties of plant species.

After earning your associate degree, you can pursue a career or transfer into UConn's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources to earn a bachelor's degree.

Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture

Interested in earning a 2-year Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Animal Science or Ornamental Horticulture and Turfgrass Management? Then enroll in UConn's Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture.

We provide a cutting-edge education with a real-world orientation. The School’s small classes ensure an outstanding opportunity for faculty/student interaction. The applied curriculum provides activities relating directly to your major, interests and career goals.

Thanks to strong alumni support and productive faculty relationships with industry and professional organizations, you will benefit from many internship and networking opportunities. Our graduates have high entrepreneurial and job placement success and many decide to pursue further education.

Animal Science graduates pursue employment or business opportunities in equine operations, the food industry, livestock and dairy production, and related sales and service businesses.
Horticulture graduates often own or operate businesses in plant production and sales, landscaping, or direct marketing of produce and plants.
Graduates pursuing the turf management concentration obtain positions in golf course and sports turf management.

UConn offers students access to many outstanding facilities for classes and activities where you will learn about modern agricultural research, industry practices and technology.

Ornamental Horticulture and Turfgrass Management students benefit from the Burr Teaching Nursery, greenhouses, turf plots, putting greens and irrigation systems.
Animal Science facilities include two indoor arenas and outdoor riding rings, poultry, dairy, livestock, and horse units, and food science and sensory laboratories.
High-tech classrooms, labs and study areas provide facilities to learn and apply knowledge while interacting with other students, professors and staff.

Available Majors

Animal Science

Dairy/Livestock
Equine Studies

Ornamental Horticulture and Turfgrass Management

Ornamental Horticulture
Turfgrass Management

Distinguished Faculty

Ratcliff Faculty - 01

Jason Henderson, assistant professor of turfgrass and soil science, is interested in improving turfgrass establishment techniques for athletic fields to improve their start time and durability.

Ratcliff Faculty - 02

Thomas A. Hoagland, professor of animal science, teaches animal breeding and genetics, anatomy and physiology, and livestock production and evaluation. An active club advisor and award-winning professor, his research interests are reproductive physiology and livestock programs.

Ratcliff Faculty - 03

Richard Mancini, assistant professor of meat and food science, specializes in beef quality, meat packaging, and beef and pork shelf life. His current research focuses on the role of lactate in fresh and cooked meat color and premature browning in cooked beef.

Ratcliff Faculty - 04

Steven L. Rackliffe teaches turfgrass science. He worked in the golf course industry for 20 years and is a recent recipient of UConn’s Kinsman Teaching Excellence Award. He places students in valuable internships throughout New England, and many of the students he has taught are employed in the industry.

Ratcliff Faculty - 05

Elizabeth A. Rademacher, director of UConn’s equestrian program, teaches classes in light horse training and management, methods of equitation instruction and pleasure horse appreciation and use. Her students receive a solid understanding of equine nutrition, physiology, anatomy and behavior.

Successful Alumni

Ratcliff Alumni - 01

Matt Bagshaw (’03, A.A.S., Horticulture) is the property maintenance supervisor at E.A. Quinn Landscape Gardening in Glastonbury, Connecticut. He directs employees in landscape installation, turf maintenance, and the construction of walls and patios.

Ratcliff Alumni - 02

Brandon D. Hyde (’01, A.A.S., Horticulture) is Vice President of Hyde Park Landscape, Inc. and President of the UConn Agriculture and Natural Resources Alumni Association. While at UConn, he was an active member of the Horticulture, Dairy and Block and Bridle Clubs.

Ratcliff Alumni - 03

Corelia Jacob (’03, A.A.S., Animal Science) is a canine professional at Teacher’s Pet, a position she obtained after interning at the firm while pursuing her UConn degree.

Ratcliff Alumni - 04

Michael McHill (’05, A.A.S., Horticulture/Nursery and Landscaping) attended the Ratcliffe Hicks School as a non-traditional student seeking a career change. Michael is employed at Saint Joseph College in West Hartford, Connecticut, where he manages the maintenance of the lawns, gardens and athletic fields.

Ratcliff Alumni - 05

Laura Virkler (’03, A.A.S., Animal Science) is a veterinary technician who works with large animals at the Salmon Brook Veterinary Hospital in Granby, Connecticut. While at the Ratcliffe Hicks School, she completed independent study projects and internships to expand her knowledge base.